Press Release

UPDATE ON THE CITY'S RESPONSE TO THE MANHATTAN STEAM MAIN EXPLOSION

The Majority of the Affected Buildings are Safe and Open

39 Buildings Have Been Fully Cleared for Re-occupancy and an Additional Four Buildings Have Been Cleared to Partially Reopen

Remaining Buildings with Some Sign of Internal Debris are Aggressively Being Cleaned Before Re-occupancy

July 28, 2018 - The City's Emergency Management Department continues to coordinate the interagency response to the steam main explosion that occurred in Manhattan at West 21st Street and 5th Avenue on Thursday, July 19. City agencies continue to operate in the area, including the FDNY, NYPD, and the Departments of Environmental Protection, Buildings, Health and Mental Hygiene, Transportation, and Emergency Management. Con Edison, NYC Small Business Services, the American Red Cross in Greater NY, and the New York State Department of Financial Services are also coordinating response operations.

Following the incident, 45 buildings were initially affected and have been assessed for asbestos contamination. 39 have been fully cleared for re-occupancy and an additional four buildings have been partially cleared to reopen. The City continues to work aggressively to clean the remaining buildings before they can be reoccupied.

DEP has collected more than 1,800 outdoor air samples in the area around the steam main explosion to test for the presence of asbestos and the results show that the air is safe for the public. DEP will continue collecting air samples throughout the cleanup process. Air sampling results can be found at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/asbestos/5th-ave-steam-pipe-explosion.shtml.

The following is an update of the City's response to the affected area:

AFFECTED AREA GREATLY REDUCED:

21st Street between 6th Avenue and Broadway is closed to vehicular traffic. Only the south side of 21st Street is open to pedestrians.

21st Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue is closed to vehicular traffic but is open to pedestrians.

21st Street between 5th Avenue and Broadway is closed to all traffic.

BUILDING RE-OCCUPANCY:

City agencies are working aggressively to clean up debris and clear affected buildings for re-occupancy. To date, 39 buildings have been cleared for re-occupancy:

119 5th Avenue (which includes 3 East 19th Street)

123 5th Avenue

125 5th Avenue

133 5th Avenue

135 5th Avenue

142 5th Avenue

144 5th Avenue

146 5th Avenue

155 5th Avenue

162 5th Avenue

164 5th Avenue

166 5th Avenue

7 West 19th Street

9 West 19th Street

11 West 19th Street (which includes 17 West 19th Street, 10 West 20th Street, and 16 West 20th Street)

Partial re-occupancy: 139 5th Avenue and 3 West 20th Street (which includes 156 5th Avenue) have had their retail space cleared for re-occupancy. The above floors of these buildings have not been cleared for re-occupancy.

BUILDINGS CONTAINING INTERNAL DEBRIS:

City agencies are working aggressively to clean the remaining buildings that have some sign of internal debris before they can be reoccupied:

141 5th Avenue (which includes 145 5th Avenue)

149 5th Avenue (which includes 921 and 925 Broadway)

For buildings requiring asbestos abatement, inspectors from the Health Department and DEP are re-inspecting common areas and roofs once abatement has been completed.

Once a building is cleared for re-occupancy, residents are asked to report any visible contamination from the steam pipe incident in an apartment to Con Edison by visiting the Reception Center at 10 East 15th street, or calling Con Edison at (212) 358 4565.

RECEPTION CENTER FOR AFFECTED RESIDENTS:

A reception center for affected individuals remains open at the Clinton School at 10 East 15th Street. The reception center will operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 7/28, and Sunday, 7/29. This reception center is for information inquiries only and is currently staffed with representatives from the New York City Departments of Emergency Management, Environmental Protection, and Health and Mental Hygiene along with Con Edison, the American Red Cross in Greater NY and the New York State Department of Financial Services. Residents can visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/resources/steam-main.page for building inspection progress.

The reception center has received 480 visits since Thursday, July 19.

The City is working with the Hotel Trade Council and the Hotel Association of New York City to accommodate residents who were affected by Thursday's steam explosion. To date, four families (10 individuals and 1 dog), have been assisted.

RE-OCCUPYING YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS:

What steps must happen before an affected building can be reopened?

City agencies, Con Edison and building owners must work together to complete these steps:

Cleaning the outside of the building Re-inspecting the outside of the building after cleaning

Once a building can be re-occupied, any restaurant it houses may reopen. The Health Department does not require a food safety inspection.

Due to the prolonged vacancy of many of these buildings, it is recommended that building management ensure that all faucets are turned on for at least 30 minutes prior to use in order to flush the stagnant water from building pipes.

What if there is debris inside my workplace or home?

If you see debris in your home or workplace, you should visit the reception center at 10 East 15th Street where representatives from Con Edison, the Health Department and the Department of Environmental Protection are on-site from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., or you can call 212-358-4565. Do not disturb, sweep or vacuum the debris.

AFFECTED BUSINESSES:

NYC Small Business Services (SBS) is maintaining a presence at the reception center at 10 East 15th, and continues to work with the Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership and city agency partners to meet the needs of impacted businesses.

SBS can advise on insurance claims and applications for compensation, and troubleshoot business access issues. Business owners may visit nyc.gov/sbs for FAQs on emergency services, or call 212-618-8810 for immediate help.